The City of Akron Gets Civic Boost at Hack N Akron 3.0

City’s third community-minded hackathon, powered by Launch League, being held Saturday, Dec. 9th

City of Akron Press Release
From the desk of Ellen Lander Nischt, Press Secretary
Published: 11-14-2017

Akron, Ohio, November 14, 2017—The City of Akron will be holding its third all-day Hack N Akron event, hosted by Launch League on Saturday, December 9, 2017. This reoccurring hackathon brings together more than one hundred coders, designers, marketers, entrepreneurs, students, and civically engaged individuals to participate in developing unique solutions to Akron’s civic challenges.

At Mayor Horrigan’s direction, the City’s first two Hack N Akron events have been focused on developing an Open Data platform that will greatly enhance citizen access to City data, as well as projects to create cohesive neighborhood branding and improve the Community Learning Center reservation process, with the goal of facilitating greater use of these community assets.

"We know that some of our most persistent organizational challenges could be significantly improved through the efficient use of technology," Mayor Horrigan said. "So we’ve brought together a motivated, resourceful team of tech- and design-savvy hackers to help us creatively rethink our processes and improve residents’ experiences. I'm pleased that the tech and business communities have come together on this project, and I look forward to seeing what we accomplish!"

Nicholas Petroski, Launch League's founder and Hack N Akron organizer agrees. "We've seen amazing progress in the city since our first hackathon last year in terms of open data, innovation and technology, and community-oriented branding and storytelling,” Petroski said. “It's inspiring to see such a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives come together to create these solutions."

The hackathons have benefitted from abundant community engagement, along with significant corporate support from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and FirstEnergy. This blending of community and corporate interests sets Akron’s hackathons apart from others and creates a unique environment where creative and innovative problem solving can thrive.